The Ten Best ‘Star Wars’ Video Games

The last film in the Skywalker saga has finished filming and us fans keep fishing for fan-theories and await the overabundance of advertisements and promotional material for Episode IX. With more films and TV shows coming up the pipeline, we take a look at the Galaxy Far Far Away’s best video game experiences.

10) Star Wars Battlefront II (2017)

I know what
you’re thinking. I’ll give you a minute to get the laughs out. This game
may have had the most
controversial
release ever (amongst Star Wars games), and it seemed
you could not dodge
reports of microtransactions, and the horrible progression system
for months. Now let’s
put this aside and talk about the game itself. Its predecessor which
was released two years
prior
gave
us a small taste
of gorgeous
visuals
and a season pass for extra content.
This time around it covers
all eras of Star Wars (what game
can say that?), a ton
more iconic characters to play, free downloadable content,
and as of this moment in time
(at least until ‘Star Wars Jedi: Fallen
Order’), the best-looking Star Wars game
to date. All that being said, it just makes
the cut.

9) Star Wars Galaxies

Released in 2003, Star Wars Galaxies was but the latest in the MMORPG craze of the mid ninety’s and early two-thousands. Imagine being part of a community set in the golden age era of Star Wars, where being a Jedi wasn’t the only path to take. Become a smuggler and move cargo, become a bounty hunter and take other players winnings for yourself. Become an Artisan, craft and move up financially in the galaxy. I’m not done! How about owning a piece of land on Tatooine? Is sand too rough or irritating? No problem! Move on over to other planets like Naboo or Yavin IV. The best part about SWG is choice; there is tons of it. The game was not smooth however. The combat was also very forgettable and in terms of skills and overall progression. it tended to mistake freedom of doing what you want for confusion about which path to take next. The game was ultimately shut down in 2011 but has since been emulated and to this day users are settling down on planets and living their dreams of being part of our favourite Galaxy Far Far Away.

8) Star Wars: Empire at War

A Star Wars Real-Time strategy had been attempted before in the form of ‘Star Wars Battlegrounds’ but failed to capitalize on its potential. Empire at War gave us better visuals and a bigger arsenal of units and weaponry. You are given the entire Galaxy to conquer as the Empire, or free as the Rebellion. With enough progress in a galactic conquest, you can acquire the Super-Star Destroyer or even the Death Star and blow planets up at will (The Empire unsurprisingly has the cooler toys). An interesting expansion, Forces of Corruption, threw a third faction amid the Galactic Civil War in the form of a crime syndicate silently undermining the Empire and Rebellion. It’s not the most engaging of games unless RTS is your thing, but almost anything mixed with the Star Wars license can catch the right eye.

7) Star Wars: Republic Commando

All of us can go on and on about how much we love The Clone Wars and how it’s coming back
(no really, it’s awesome, I’m
not trying to throw any sarcasm in there). But before all of that, we were given Republic Commando! A combination of
elements of Halo,
and some juiced
up clone troopers.
Yes,
really is as awesome as it sounds. You go on a two-year
journey following
a squad of elite clone troopers
as they try to shift
the tide on the Clone Wars,
With appearances from some high-profile names in Star Wars and the chaos that ensues as you venture further into
the game make this a great play. It’s unfortunate
that the popularity of the Clone Wars series has
shifted this classic under the radar.

6) Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

This game is like the ultimate fan-theory based plot, but it seems to work. What if Darth Vader had an apprentice? What if he had kept this apprentice a secret from The Emperor? Mix that narrative with over-the-top force powers and you have an alternate reality like no other. It is interesting to see how this played out on future events depending on your choices: you could watch the original trilogy unfold because of protagonist Starkiller, or fulfill your destiny on the dark side. Decimate enemies with the force, followed by a crucial decision that alters the fate of the Galaxy.

5) Super Star Wars

Super Star Wars seemed, at face value, like a loveable 16-bit movie adaption. But don’t be fooled! It is ridiculously hard, ask any SNES owner. This aside, if you can make your way through some of the tougher stages, it is a really awesome ride. Each of the three that make up the original trilogy has a flare for storytelling, as if the developers really worked at making the films “playable” without compromising what Star Wars is, even though it had to change a bit of the plot. The 16-bit renditions of the soundtracks from the films are as spot on as ever, it succeeds at letting us live and play in the films, and though its difficulty may detract some, it is a rewarding experience for those who make it through.

4) Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Now Super Star Wars owned the substance of Star Wars in the 90s, but even it couldn’t stand up to this classic. Comprised of two separate releases of the prequel and sequel trilogies, this was a mashup to remember (not just for the memes which alone is worth the ranking). The game is ridiculous at heart, but it works so well because it’s all coated in LEGO. As childish as it sounds, every stage of the six films is authentic as it gets in terms of location, plot, and the character list. The list itself is absolutely massive, from all the Heroes and villains, to average B-listers who you probably forgot about but smiled and acknowledged, to absolutely ridiculous and useless characters like a gonk droid, A GONK DROID. If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy Star Wars other than watching all the films, consider LEGO Star Wars. Co-op is also encouraged in this game, so that next film marathon could be a nostalgia adventure with a mate while you wait for the next episode IX rumour.

3) Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005)

See guys? It’s on my list don’t boycott me yet. But here we are, the year is 2005 and Revenge of the Sith had just released on DVD, and on the same day our childhood (depending on your age at the time) just got cooler. Over thirty maps to battle on, the introduction of ship dogfights in space, playable heroes for crying out loud what more could any fan want? The games plot gave us a version of the original trilogy beginning from the prequels and ending in the empire’s victory of the Galactic Civil War. Modders have even gone as far as to bring the most recent events from The Force Awakens to the game on PC, a whole fourteen years later, need I say more?

2) Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

Now anyone who knows me knows how I feel about this one, an era never previously experienced in Star Wars was brought to life and has become not just a Star Wars classic, but classic among the RPG genre. Sporting one of the biggest plot twists ever in a video game, you are in for a ride as you uncover the protagonist’s path and piece together the future. At first, the endings seemed unending with players playing the game multiple times to figure out what could’ve been. How could they get a game like this so right, and ‘The Phantom Menace’ so wrong? I’d be doing anyone a disservice by telling you more and not telling you to go play KOTOR right now. (like now).

1) Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

This was a tough decision between KOTOR and Jedi Academy, hear me out. In terms of finding the best Star Wars game, the ease of controls, engine, and visuals must coincide with the source material. Jedi, their force powers, and most of all their lightsabers, are as eye candy as anything Star Wars related. To create a game where you can jump online, create an avatar, and fight your friends with lightsabers is the winningest formula on this list. Is a single blade starting to bore you? Why not dual-wield, or double-blade it like Darth Maul. It’s an absolute triumph in dueling, making timing just as important as striking whether it be with a lightsaber or the force. Sixteen years later and this is still the best way to hone your sword skills and use the force like fans did when they were children and swung plastic lightsabers in the backyard.